“How does one wake up, when one’s already ‘awakened’?
How does one return Home, when one is already there?
And, how can there be distance from The Father,
when it is only Him who is doing the carrying?”

This is how my journey started this morning. And how I got to this glorious place–
features my daily read (with Scripture & In Touch Daily Devotional, listed below); equipped with a familiar story.

I have too many posts in draft to even mention, but this share felt like it had more than my name on it. So here goes…

Sincerely Dr. Stanley,

“How does one wake up, when one’s already ‘awakened’? How does one return Home, when one is already there? And, how can there be distance from our Father, when it is only Him who carries me?”

I would gladly accept the scraps from the table of my oppressors, that even the dogs find, but how can a citizen [the name the land is in] who proclaims to be of the household of God [once the prodigal himself], do unto others as he had once lived?

I am all too familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son, but this morning I could swear that I heard and saw Jesus play out [& repeat] His Words to me, Himself. [“Thank you Dr. Stanley” for suggesting this Scripture. 😎 ]

HE was not speaking as The Educator, Disciplinarian, Parent, or trying to lord it over me [even though HE IS my Lord], but as a part of a family [my family] as we were breaking bread together. It was so beautiful, and so needed for such a time in my life. “Thank You Lord!”

I do genuinely hope and pray that this citizen and his people, who appear to me ‘of a foreign land’, “get It” and embrace The Father like never before. But, I cannot lay hostage to this ‘living in what feels like sin’ any longer, hoping my faith alone carries us through, and protects them from discipline. I’m to wipe this current dust from my feet and seek His land of Glory.

So it was no surprise this morning, that I awoke again singing –

“When I wake up in the land of glory,
with the saints I will tell my story.
There will be one name that I proclaim!
“Jesus!” “Jesus!” “Jesus, just that name!”

I’ve been singing the same song for days now, everywhere I go, and even awaking to it. So I’m thinking & believing… there’s Light and “Living” Water at the end of this dungeon & desert. 😎

My children and I [unemployed too long] are about to be cast out of our currently impoverished, imprisoned, and spirit depraved situation [also feels too long] and I am [we are] SO THANKFUL to The Lord for His move. I am so indebted to and amazed by God, for all He’s done for, with, and in me [& us] all this time. If I hadn’t reached this place, I would have ‘missed Him’. I would have missed being “so close”, “so much in love”, “so dependent on”, and “so provided for, covered, and carried” by the Lord Himself. So I sing~ “Holy, Holy, Holy…”, “Hallelujah”, “When I wake up in the Land of Glory…” , and now~

Lead me Home!
[And… I couldn’t sing at all before.] 😀

Whether we go or stay always [has &] had to be the choice that glorifies God. I cannot, nor ever could in this situation, see with natural eyes which way that could possibly be. So how I choose to respond to all this now, is my children & my only way-

“When I wake up in the land of Glory…”

And before you ask “What are you going to do?” [I know my dad wants to know 😉 ] I look to our Father in Heaven, rejoicing and singing with “What are WE going to do?” 😎

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12]

Sincerely…

“How does one wake up, when one’s already ‘awakened’? How does one return Home, when one is already there? And, how can there be distance from The Father, when it is only Him who is doing the carrying?”

“Set a Fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, that I can’t control. I want more of You God. I want more of You God! No place I would rather be~ then here in Your love.”

My previously “most sung” song. 🙂

Luke 15:11-32(NASB)

The Prodigal Son

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

When We Are to Blame

As we saw yesterday, some needs are universal—necessities that are common to all people. Today, let’s focus on needs of a different kind: those that arise when we are to blame.

Think about the prodigal son. This young man had everything he could possibly want—he lived in a beautiful home, had plenty of food, and was raised in a wealthy and popular family. However, he unwisely set his eye on the one thing he didn’t have: prestige. He wanted to be his own man and get out from under the shadow of his father and older brother. Despite having the finest things in life, he wanted independence.

The result? This young man had a wonderful time, but only for a little while. He desired the joys that went along with success but paid no attention whatsoever to the responsibilities wealth required. Therefore, he drove himself into a world of pain and need that he’d never before experienced. And he had no one to blame but himself.

Hurting, hungry, and alone, the prodigal knew full well how and where his needs would be met. Then, accepting the blame, he turned and made the journey home.

When we are hurting, we often try to find someone else to blame. It can be heartbreaking to realize the fault is actually our own. When this describes your situation, can you, like the prodigal son, swallow your pride and turn back toward your heavenly Father? If you do, you’ll discover He’s already running out to meet you, ready to supply your needs again.

“Thanks again Dr. Stanley & In Touch Ministries!” ♥

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About jam4JESUS

I... 'will seek [First] the LORD my God, and I will find Him if I seek Him with all my heart and with all my soul.' Deut. 4:29
I... 'shall love the LORD my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength.' Deut. 6:5
I... 'Trust in the LORD with all my heart, And lean not on my own understanding; In all ways... acknowledge Him, And He shall make my path straight.' Proverbs 3:5-6
I... 'remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you' 2Tim. 1:6
I... 'thank God, whom I serve... without ceasing...
I... remember YOU in my prayers night and day,' 2Tim. 1:3
I... am to 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to God' Phil. 4:6
I... KNOW:
'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.' Phil.4:13
'My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' Phil. 4:19
'My GOD will never leave me, nor forsake me.' Heb. 13:5
JESUS so loves me, this I... KNOW